NEW ZEALAND'S AID TO THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 52, 7 March 1900, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND'S AID TO THE EMPIRE.

Weialngtos, March 6. I The date of the sailing of the Gymeric with the Fourth Contingent has been cLlWici u.itil out the 24th mst bli will sail frcm Dunedin, aid will

It is not yet decided how the remainder I of the Contingent will be shipped. In response to a request for 150 for the Fifth Contingent, the full number applied, and will be subjected to the riding and shooting tests. Christchurch, March 6. One hundred and thirty-one men of the Fifth Contingent for South Africa went into camp at the Addington Show Grounds on Monday, having been selected from moro than 240 applicants. The camp is in charge of Lieut.-Colonel Gordon, his staff-officer being Lieut.Colonel Slater, who was in charge of the Third Contingent camp, and Bombardier Coleman, of the Permanent Artillery, is again camp sergeant-major. Captain Palairet (reserve), formerly of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, is camp quarter-master, and the officers of the [Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry arc again giving their services as instructors. The work hitherto has been preliminary, but the men are shaping well, and the discipline is excellent There can be no mounted drills for some time, as, though there are 18 horses in camp, no provision has as yet been made for saddlery equipment. Dunedin, March 6, The Dunedin Presbytery had the question of sending a chaplain with the Fourth Contingent under consideration. The Premier's telegram to the Mayor did not appear to give much hope that one would be accepted, but the idea has not been abandoned. Mr. Tennant, who had been selected, has decided to go as a trooper with the Fifth Contingent if the attempt to send him fails, and the Presbytery will provide him with a horse and the requisite equipment. The Rev. Mr. Tennant, father of the proposed chaplain, has approved of his son going as a volunteer, and mentioned that another son had gone with the Bushmen's Contingent. Napier, March 6. Thirty-seven men have been finally selected as the Hawke's Bay's contribution to the Fourth Contingent, and are now in camp. Over 100 passed all the teste, and Mr. Fraser, M.H.R., telegraphed to the Premier offering the services of fifty men for the Fifth Contingent. Mr. Ssddon replied accepting the offer. This will bring the Hawke's Bay total contribution in men to 135 ; cash nearly £6000; about fifty horses; and two fully-equipped nurses.